Scotland’s North Coast 500 is the anti-tour-bus golf trip. The 500-mile route takes you through some of Scotland’s most rural stretches of coastline and past some of its most beautiful golf courses.
The drive begins and ends in Inverness, Scotland which is considered the base of the Scottish Highlands. The circular route can be driven in either direction, but I started up the east coast before finishing down the west coast with its dramatic views and expansive beaches. I wouldn’t recommend doing it any other way.
The map below roughly shows my route and the red balloons mark overnight stops while the green golfers mark courses played. The map is interactive, so expand it, zoom in, and explore the small towns and villages along the way!
Throughout the trip I wrote daily posts describing the journey, courses, and sites. Each post is linked below the map, and I highly suggest you start at Day 1 and experience the journey through Day 6!
The Daily Posts:
North Coast 500 Day 1: Edinburgh to Dornoch
North Coast 500 Day 2: Dornoch to Brora
North Coast 500 Day 3: Brora to Wick
North Coast 500 Day 4: Wick to Durness
North Coast 500 Day 5: Durness to Gairloch
North Coast 500 Day 6: Gairloch to Inverness
As you will have read in the daily posts, the scenery, golf, and stops along the drive made for an unforgettable week in the Scottish Highlands. To read even more about the North Coast 500, look ahead to July LINKSdigital and the Fall Issue of LINKS Magazine, both of which will contain features about the trip.
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Have you played golf in Scotland? If so, let us know your favorite courses in the comments below!
Well done Graylyn. I enjoyed reading about your trip probably as much as you did taking it. So glad you decided to take this road less traveled and share it with your readers. There are so many wonderful spots in Scotland that get overlooked because they are not Open venues or “top-100” courses, and they most definitely deserve to be seen. For anyone going up to Dornoch, adding Brora, Golspie (and Tain) to the play list is a must.
As great as the world’s top-100 courses in Scotland are, not seeing those lesser-known courses would be a mistake. Those courses should not be seen as second-tier courses, because although some are not as well known, they are not any lesser the course, and they are not second-tier in any respect.
We spent a week playing golf out of St. Andrews years ago. Our favorite course turned out to be the Balcombie(sp?) Links at Crail. A really special place.
This was a fantastic travelogue and hopefully Links sends Graylyn out for further adventures in the future!
This is the trip that we just completed. Stayed in North Berwick; played North Berwick, Muirfield & Dunbar. Off to Troon for golf at Prestwick, Royal Troon, Barassie, Dundonald & Western Gailes. Ferry to Arran and played Brodick & Shiskine. Ferry to Kintyre Peninsula for golf at Machrihanish Dunes & Machrihanish Old. Finally off to St Andrews for The Old Course, Carnoustie & Kingsbarns. Three weeks of scenic beauty, the great people of Scotland, and great companions enjoying superb Links Golf.
Western Gails (sp?) ………..playing between the dunes …..makes you feel like your playing with Old Tom !
Two words…Royal Troon!
Kingsbarns and Castle Stuart are two of my favorites. Play the New Course at St. Andrews. It is tougher than the Old Course and a fraction of the cost.
In complete agreement with the comments. When I saw the map icon on Inverness, it reminded me of another course in that area with a historic pedigree, Nairn.
As to Western Gailes, it is a definite first rate course and #2 in Ayrshire after Turnberry.
In 2014 four brave lads from Colorado and Arizona stayed in Inverness and traveled north to play Tain, Royal Dornoch, Brora and Boat of Garden…..Royal Dornoch was by far my favorite, but do not miss Brora (true old Scottish golf course). Then went south and played both Old and New St Andrews….they are the courses you hear about and you need a picture on the bridge. Also played both Craighead and Balcomie Links….every course is different and challenging. Suggest you might stay at Ardconnel Guest House in Inverness (fabulous breakfast) and if you are truly Scottish, visit the site of the Battle of Culloden near Inverness. Maybe a little Scotch to finish the trip.
Graylyn,
That was one awesome read. Last June, at 60 years old, I went with 11 other guys (5 Scots & 6 Yanks) to the Highlands. We stayed in a rented 9 bedroom manor house across the bridge from Inverness. We never got north of Dornoch. Now, after reading of your trip, I want to go back with my wife and another couple (all accomplished golfers) along the North Coast 500. Thank you.
Kevin Ricciardelli
Hi Kevin,
That sounds like a great time in the Highlands! It is definitely worth getting north of Dornoch on your next visit. My only regret was bypassing some great non-golf destinations along the way. Next time I’m going to spend more time exploring around Durness… so beautiful up there! – Graylyn
Kevin,
The new North Coast 500 Golf website will help you see almost all of the courses around this incredible route. Golf Tours are also available to suit all budgets and all requirements, and will help you get the most out of your trip to this fabulous part of the world. It’s a complete Highland experience as well as amazing golf.
Dave
I have been to Scotland 5 times and the weather can help predict the joy of a round there. We have played The Old Course, New Course, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Gullane 2, Royal Dornoch, Nairn and the Kings Course at Gleneagles. Each one has its own challenge or charm. Playing with a caddie that is engaged is a joy also….I have had awesome and some, not so much. David, that carried my bag through a downpour at The Old Course, deserved a double tip! He ran across two fairways the next day to say that I could have had the best again. He was right. Still, one of my favorites is the Kings Course at Gleneagles. Maybe it was the days that I have played it were almost perfect. A lot of elevation changes and some blind shots. I remembered each hole after the round..rare.